$77 million coming for Head Start in Illinois

CHICAGO – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., says the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families has awarded providers throughout Illinois $77,414,803 to support early education and comprehensive family support services in the state.

“The Head Start program is the source of countless success stories in Illinois and around the country—it’s a stepping stone children need to succeed from elementary school to college and beyond,” said Durbin. “Today’s funding will help level the playing field for families of modest means by promoting healthy development and school readiness for kindergarten and elementary school.”

Under this announcement, the following Illinois providers will receive funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs:

• Riverbend Head Start and Family Services (Alton): $4,175,251
• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Joliet, Inc.: $3,310,155
• City of Chicago: $60,481,809
• Ounce of Prevention Fund (Chicago): $7,156,563
• Southern Seven Health Department (Ullin): $2,291,025